Best Robert Tornabene Podcasts (2025)

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S5- E37: John Pope, PIO Newport Beach, CA 56:10

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4h ago56:10

56:10

Send us a text In this episode, John Pope, the Public Information Officer for Newport Beach, shares his journey from journalism to public relations within government agencies. He discusses his daily responsibilities, the unique challenges of communicating in a diverse community, and the importance of transparency and effective communication strateg…

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S4 - E36; Parth Shah, CEO, Polimorphic 47:15

7d ago47:15

47:15

Send us a text Summary In this episode, Parth Shah, CEO of Polimorphic, discusses the transformative role of AI in government communications and public service. He shares insights from his background in civic technology and the challenges faced by public agencies in managing communications, public records, and community engagement. Parth emphasizes…

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S5 - E35: Cmdr. Michael Shaw - Michigan State Police 35:02

14d ago35:02

35:02

Send us a text In this episode of the PIO podcast, Commander Mike Shaw of the Michigan State Police shares his extensive experience in law enforcement and the evolution of public information officers (PIOs). He discusses the importance of adapting to technological changes, the structure of the communications division, and the challenges faced by PI…

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S5 - E34: Jennifer Hillman PIO Thompson Valley EMS, CO 40:47

22d ago40:47

40:47

Send us a text Summary In this episode, Robert Tornabene interviews Jennifer Hillmann, the Director of Communications for Thompson Valley EMS. Jennifer shares her journey into the field of communications, her experiences as a public information officer (PIO), and the importance of calm communication during crises. She discusses the role of social m…

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S5 - E33: Carla Burr - PIO - Amarilla PD, TX 39:53

29d ago39:53

39:53

Send us a text Summary: In this episode of the PIO podcast, Sergeant Carla Burr from the Amarillo Police Department shares her extensive journey in law enforcement, detailing her transition from dispatcher to Public Information Officer. She discusses the department's structure, the importance of community engagement through social media, and her ex…

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S5 - #32: Jen Longaecker, Deputy Communications Director - MPS 48:48

1M ago48:48

48:48

Send us a text Summary: In this episode of the PIO podcast, Jen Longaecker, the Deputy Communications Director for the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, shares her unique journey from journalism to public safety communications. She discusses the challenges faced during the 2020 civil unrest, the importance of social media in crisis management,…

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S5 - E 31: Meeghan Black, Public Information Officer, Renton Police Department WA 39:39

1M ago39:39

39:39

Send us a text Summary: In this episode of the PIO podcast, Robert Tornabene interviews Megan Black, the Public Information Officer for the Renton Police Department. Megan shares her journey from a long career in broadcast journalism to her current role in law enforcement communications. She discusses the importance of community engagement, the rol…

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Special Edition Episode#3: Chief of Police Tom Weitzel (retired), Riverside Police Department 54:25

2M ago54:25

54:25

Send us a text In this episode, retired Chief of Police Thomas Weitzel discusses his extensive career in law enforcement, the challenges posed by the Safety Act in Illinois, and the implications for policing and community safety. He emphasizes the need for proactive policing, the importance of maintaining high standards for officers, and the role o…

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S5 - E 30: Brent Patterson, PIO - Madison County Sheriffs Office, Huntsville, AL 32:05

2M ago32:05

32:05

Send us a text Summary: In this episode of the PIO podcast, host Robert Tornabene interviews Brent Patterson, the Public Information Officer and Media Relations Director at the Madison County Sheriff's Department in Huntsville, Alabama. Brent shares his unique journey from law enforcement to becoming a PIO, discussing the challenges and responsibil…

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S5 - E29: Leah Tedesco - Social Simulator 33:53

2M ago33:53

33:53

Send us a text Summary: In this episode, Leah Tedesco, a senior consultant at Social Simulator, discusses the importance of crisis communication preparedness and the role of Public Information Officers (PIOs) in crisis management. She explains how Social Simulator's platform replicates various communication channels to train organizations in effect…

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S5 - E28: Sam Toles - Civic Social 1:01:24

2M ago1:01:24

1:01:24

Send us a text Episode Summary: In this conversation, Sam Toles from Civic Social discusses the innovative approach of empowering Public Information Officers (PIOs) in local governments to effectively engage with their communities through social media. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity, strategic planning, and the need for a modern appro…

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S5 - E27: Amy Maxwell, PIO Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management 25:16

2M ago25:16

25:16

Send us a text Summary: In this episode of the PIO podcast, Robert Tornabene interviews Amy Maxwell, the public relations manager for the Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Amy shares her journey from working in cardiology to emergency management, detailing her responsibilities as the sole public information o…

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S5 - E26: Amanda Schoepp, Digital Content Editor, Hyatt Hotels Corp 26:03

3M ago26:03

26:03

Send us a text Summary: In this episode, Amanda Schoepp, a digital content editor at Hyatt Hotels Corporation, discusses her role in enhancing website copy and transitioning from journalism to content editing. She shares insights on common mistakes made in media releases, the importance of clarity and conciseness in writing, and the differences bet…

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S5 - E25: Jamie Sacco, PIO, City of Shawnee 33:22

3M ago33:22

33:22

Send us a text Summary: In this episode of the PIO podcast, host Robert Tornabene interviews Jamie Sacco, the Public Information Officer for Shawnee, Oklahoma. Jamie shares her journey from working in news to becoming a PIO, discussing her role's unique challenges and opportunities. She emphasizes the importance of community engagement, effective c…

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S5 - E24: Juliet Casey, Director of Marketing -Los Medanos College, Pittsburgh, CA 30:41

3M ago30:41

30:41

Send us a text Episode Summary: In this episode, Robert Tornabene interviews Juliet Casey, the Director of Marketing and Media Design at Los Medanos College. They discuss Juliet's transition from journalism to public information, the importance of accuracy and accountability in communication, and the impact of community engagement. Juliet shares he…

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S5 - E23: Sgt Jessica Shehan, PIO Division 1, Virginia State Police, Richmond, VA 32:05

3M ago32:05

32:05

Send us a text Episode Summary: In this episode, Sergeant Jessica Shehan, a Public Information Officer for the Virginia State Police, shares her journey into law enforcement and the unique challenges of her role. She discusses the importance of transparency in communication, the impact of social media on public relations, and her experiences in rec…

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S6 - Special Edition #2: Scott Mann, Scott Mann Podcast 56:13

4M ago56:13

56:13

Send us a text Summary: In this episode of the PIO podcast, Scott Mann, a retired Green Beret, shares his journey from a small town in Arkansas to becoming a leader in the U.S. Army Special Forces. He discusses the challenges of transitioning to civilian life, the emotional toll of military service, and the importance of storytelling for healing. S…

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S5 - E22: Stephen Kuhr - CEO - Kuhr Group 45:14

4M ago45:14

45:14

Send us a text Summary: In this episode of the PIO Podcast, Stephen Kuhr shares his extensive experience in emergency management, discussing his journey from the New York City Emergency Medical Service to his role at Colorado Springs Utilities. He emphasizes the importance of crisis communication, the differences between public and private sector e…

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S5 - E21: Kent Keller, CEO OS Media Group 24:35

4M ago24:35

24:35

Send us a text Summary: In this episode of the PIO podcast, Kent Keller, former police officer and now CEO of OS Media Group, shares his journey from law enforcement to marketing for public safety agencies. He discusses the importance of community engagement, the challenges public information officers face, and how his company aims to support small…

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Special Edition with Sarah Lux - What's in your Go Bag? 41:26

4M ago41:26

41:26

Send us a text In this Special Edition, Sarah Lux discusses the importance of go bags for public information officers (PIOs) and shares her personal experiences and insights on what to include. She emphasizes the need for emergency preparedness and provides practical tips on essential items, balancing technology with traditional tools, and unique, …

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S5 - E20: Carolina Montelongo, Public Relations Coordinator, Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office, Tampa, FL 30:13

5M ago30:13

30:13

Send us a text Summary: In this episode of the PIO podcast, host Robert Tornabene interviews Carolina Montelongo, the Public Relations Coordinator for the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Carolina shares her journey from journalism to becoming a Public Information Officer (PIO), emphasizing the importance of community engagement, especially wi…

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S5 - E19 : Italia Tornabene - Entrepreneur 42:55

5M ago42:55

42:55

Send us a text Author, life coach, entrepreneur, founder of Tornabene Wine, Miss New York 2022. Baxter Learns to Save (Amazon) https://tornabenewines.com Support the show Our premiere sponsor, Social News Desk, has an exclusive offer for PIO Podcast listeners. Head over to socialnewsdesk.com/pio to get three months free when a qualifying agency sig…

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S5 - E18: Dawn Small, Strategic Communications Manager, Aurora Fire Rescue, Aurora, CO 38:13

5M ago38:13

38:13

Send us a text Summary: In this episode of the PIO podcast, host Robert Tornabene interviews Dawn Small, the strategic communications manager for Aurora Fire Rescue. Dawn shares her journey from public relations agencies to the fire service, highlighting her experiences and the changes she aims to implement in communications. The conversation delve…

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S5 - E17: Rick Rice, Public Information Officer, Asheville Police Department, Asheville, NC 31:42

5M ago31:42

31:42

Send us a text Summary: In this episode of the PIO podcast, Robert Tornabene interviews Rick Rice, the public information officer for the Asheville Police Department. They discuss Rick's background in radio, the challenges they faced during Hurricane Helene, and the launch of the APD Pod Squad podcast aimed at improving community engagement. Rick s…

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S5 - E16: Doug Levy - Author of The Crisis Communications Golden Hour 52:10

5M ago52:10

52:10

Send us a text Summary: In this conversation, Doug Levy discusses his extensive background in journalism and emergency communications, leading to the writing of his book, 'The Golden Hour.' He emphasizes the critical importance of timely and accurate communication during crises, outlining common mistakes made by Public Information Officers (PIOs) a…

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S5 - E 15: Ashlee Bradshaw, Public Information Officer, Kyle Police Department, Kyle, TX 30:04

6M ago30:04

30:04

Send us a text Summary of the Podcast: in this episode, Ashley Bradshaw, the Public Information and Engagement Specialist for the Kyle Police Department, shares her journey into law enforcement communication. She discusses the challenges and opportunities of being the first PIO in her department, the importance of community engagement, and innovati…

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S5 - E14: Molly McPherson - Molly McPherson Public Relations 25:15

6M ago25:15

25:15

Send us a text Episode Summary: In this episode of the PIO podcast, PR expert Molly McPherson shares her insights on navigating media crises, the importance of social media in crisis management, and the common pitfalls faced by public information officers (PIOs). She emphasizes the need for transparency, accountability, and stakeholder engagement i…

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S5 - E13: Jeff Wenninger, CEO Law Enforcement Consultants, Ohio 41:00

6M ago41:00

41:00

Send us a text Summary: In this episode, Jeff Wenninger, a retired LAPD officer and CEO of Law Enforcement Consultants, discusses his unique background and the challenges facing law enforcement today. He emphasizes the need for cultural change within police departments, the importance of proper training and competence, and the role of public inform…

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S5 - E12 Hollie Stark - Outreach Program Manager, Washington Emergency Management Division 39:44

6M ago39:44

39:44

Send us a text Episode Summary: In this episode of the PIO Podcast, host Robert Tornabene interviews Holly Stark, Outreach Program Manager with the Washington State Emergency Management Division. Holly shares her journey from journalism to emergency management, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in building trust and empathy within communit…

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S5 - E11: Kevin Strauss - Communications Manager - Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency 28:52

7M ago28:52

28:52

Send us a text Summary of the Interview: In this episode of the PIO podcast, Kevin Strauss, the communications manager for the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency, discusses his journey from college athletics to public communication. He shares insights on the challenges faced in unifying communication strategies post-COVID, the importance of digital …

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S5 - E10 Lauren Burden, Director of Communications and Community Relations, Douglas County District Attorney's Office, Douglasville GA 27:16

7M ago27:16

27:16

Send us a text Summary: In this episode of the PIO podcast, Lauren Burton, the Director of Communications and Community Relations for the Douglas County District Attorney's Office in Georgia, shares her unique journey from victim advocacy to her current role. She discusses the importance of community engagement, the challenges of digital communicat…

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S5 - E9: Summer Derrey - Assistant Communications Manager, South Central Region - Washington State Department of Transportation 28:41

7M ago28:41

28:41

Send us a text Summary - In this episode of the PIO podcast, Robert Tornabene interviews Summer DeRay, an experienced Public Information Officer (PIO) with a rich background in communications and community engagement. Summer shares her journey from working in newsrooms to her current role at the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)…

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S5 - E8: Donna Rossi - Director of Communications - Phoenix Police Department, Phoenix, AZ 33:57

7M ago33:57

33:57

Send us a text Summary: In this episode of the PIO podcast, Robert Tornabene interviews Donna Rossi, the Deputy Director of Public Affairs for the Phoenix Police Department. Donna shares her unique journey from being a police officer to a broadcast journalist and leading the Public Affairs Bureau. The conversation covers the current staffing challe…

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S5 - E7 Taylor Merriss - Special Projects Coordinator - Evansville Police, Evansville Indiana 29:06

8M ago29:06

29:06

Send us a text Summary: In this episode of the PIO Podcast, Special Projects Coordinator Taylor Merriss from the Evansville Police Department shares insights about her role, community engagement strategies, and the importance of transparency in law enforcement. She discusses her background, the challenges of recruiting, and the innovative ways the …

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S5 - E6 : Bridget Truxillo - Law Lady Shield 45:51

8M ago45:51

45:51

Send us a text Bridget has firsthand experience with harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and a hostile work environment. As the only female on the SWAT team, along with her time on patrol and as an undercover narcotics investigator, she knows what it feels like to have no one to trust and to feel defeated at every turn. This is why Bridget sta…

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S5- E5: Victorian Simmons - Public Information Officer, City of Apex, Apex NC 51:57

8M ago51:57

51:57

Send us a text Victorian Simmons currently works as the Public Information Officer for the Town of Apex. Prior to her position with Apex, she was the Community Engagement Specialist for the Greensboro Fire Department. Victorian has been published in Firehouse Magazine and was a featured speaker at the 2024 NFPA Conference and the North Carolina Fir…

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S5 - E4: Jonee Lewis, Director of Communications - Tampa Police Department 26:55

8M ago26:55

26:55

Send us a text Jonee Lewis is an Emmy-award-winning Journalist who is now the Director of Communications and Public Affairs for the Tampa Police Department. Jonee’ is a Lakeland native with 13 years of experience in the media industry, having previously served as a reporter for Fox 13 in Tampa and television news stations in Memphis, Winston-Salem,…

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S5-E3: Chata Spikes, Executive Director of Public Affairs, Atlanta Police Department 31:43

9M ago31:43

31:43

Send us a text As the Executive Director of Public Affairs for the Atlanta Police Department, Chata Spikes manages the department’s overall communication strategy which includes developing organizational messaging both internal and external. Ms. Spikes has worked in media and public relations industry for more than 18 years. She served as Media Lia…

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S5 - E2: Stephen Combs, Public Information Officer - Bluffton Township Fire Department, Bluffton, SC 36:16

9M ago36:16

36:16

Send us a text Stephen Combs currently serves as the Public Information Officer (PIO) for Bluffton Township Fire District, having joined the agency in February 2023. In his role, he oversees all communications for the district's nine stations, including handling service calls, public education, community events, and media relations. Highlights: Cre…

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S5 - E1 Sarah Loyd - Head of Product Success and Evangelism - Social News Desk 16:09

9M ago16:09

16:09

Send us a text Sarah Loyd is the Head of Product Success & Evangelism at Social News Desk, where she has spent more than a decade helping to develop cutting-edge software that supports social media workflows for government, journalism, and education. With a solid social media management and journalism background, Sarah is dedicated to ensuring clie…

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Summing up the Titles and Topics of 2024 from the Life of A PIO Podcast 21:37

9M ago21:37

21:37

Send us a text It should be noted that this entire podcast episode was created with the assistance of Notebook LM. The information was gathered from blog posts to the Life of A PIO Blog, which comes out weekly. To subscribe to our substack. Please follow the link. https://piopodcast.substack.com/ Support the show Our premiere sponsor, Social News D…

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Season 4 Finale with Robert Tornabene 23:05

10M ago23:05

23:05

Send us a text In our season finale, we highlight the 10 most listened-to episodes of 2024. 1 S4 - E6 Alexa Boylon, Director of Communications, Indianapolis Metro PD 2 S4 - E1 Kayla Gneck Smith, PIO Tempe PD 3 S4 - E2 Jesse Carr, PIO Dallas PD 4 S4 - E4 Julie Mann, PIO Kane County Government, Kane Cty Illinois 5 S4 - E40 Captain Jon Vick, PIO Lawre…

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Laurin Parthemos - Principal - Kotter Inc. 42:28

10M ago42:28

42:28

Send us a text Every organization faces the challenge of accelerating change. We help you turn that challenge into an opportunity. Kotter pioneered the science of change through decades of Harvard research and real-world experience. Transformation powered by Kotter gets to the heart of business problems quickly – delivering new levels of performanc…

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Lexi Qass'uq Trainer - Anchorage Fire Department, Anchorage, Alaska 42:58

11M ago42:58

42:58

Send us a text Lexi Qass’uq Trainer (Cup’ik/Yup’ik) is a communications and storytelling professional. As an Alaska Native woman, Lexi is passionate about giving back to her community and preserving her cultural heritage. She actively incorporates her traditional values into her work, ensuring her strategies are effective, culturally appropriate, a…

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Lt. Patrick Juliano, Public Information Officer - Palm Coast Fire Department, Palm Coast, FL 35:05

11M ago35:05

35:05

Send us a text Lt. Patrick Juliano began his career with the Palm Coast Fire Department in 2006 as a Volunteer Firefighter and became a career firefighter in 2008. He earned his Firefighter Certification from First Coast Technical College, obtained his EMT Certification in New York, and completed his Paramedic training and Associate Degree at Dayto…

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Zack Seipert - Marketing and Communications Specialist CUWCD, Utah 36:20

11M ago36:20

36:20

Send us a text Zack Seipert is the Marketing & Communications Specialist for the Central Utah Water Conservancy District and co-author of “The Most Amazing Marketing Book Ever.” Zack knows how to get important messages seen, heard, and understood in today’s fast-paced world. He has a bachelor’s degree in Digital Marketing from Utah Valley Universit…

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Sarah Lux, Public Information Officer - Lake County Florida 39:01

11M ago39:01

39:01

Send us a text Sarah Lux earned a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Central Florida and a master’s degree in public relations from Full Sail University. Sarah has practiced Public Relations for ten years, focusing on community education, government affairs, and crisis communications. She is part of the Florida Association of …

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Laura McElroy - McElroy Media Group 40:28

12M ago40:28

40:28

Send us a text Laura McElroy is an award-winning journalist and communication strategist with 33 years of experience. She has managed high-profile crises and large events, like the Republican National Convention and Super Bowl XLIII. She consults for government agencies and major companies, develops communication strategies, and provides executive-…

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Anna Smith, PIO, Morehead City, NC 32:11

12M ago32:11

32:11

Send us a text Anna Smith is the Public Information Officer for Morehead City, NC, and has more than a decade of professional communications experience. She graduated from Penn State with a degree in Print Journalism and Spanish before moving to North Carolina in 2011. She enjoys disseminating information on the city’s departments, including Fire-E…

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Captain John Vik, Patrol Division Commander - Lancaster County Sheriffs Office, NE 37:44

12M ago37:44

37:44

Send us a text Captain John Vik is a native of Lancaster County, Nebraska and began working in law enforcement through the military. He served in the 155th Security Forces Squadron of the Nebraska Air National Guard from 2001 – 2007 including time on active duty in support of Operations Noble Eagle & Enduring Freedom. He joined the Lancaster County…